Top 5 NFL “Mr. Irrelevants” So Far (No Brock Purdy Yet)

Originally published on Nov. 14, 2023

By Zane Miller

The NFL has by far the highest number of last overall draft picks to play at least one regular season game with 32, as every Mr. Irrelevant since 2012 has taken a snap as of this writing. However, playing for a significant number of games under these circumstances is still exceptionally rare.

5. Tae Crowder- LB

After being taken by the New York Giants with the 255^th overall pick of the 2020 draft, Crowder has played in a total of 41 games to this point, all of which with the Giants, getting a pair of interceptions while also forcing two fumbles and two sacks. Though Crowder has yet to sign with an NFL team in the 2023 regular season, there’s certainly still time to move up the list.

4. Marty Moore- LB

The only non-specialist Mr. Irrelevant to play over 100 games at the NFL level, Moore was drafted by the New England Patriots with the 222^nd selection of the 1994 draft, playing in 112 games mostly with the Patriots. During this time, Moore secured three interceptions while being credited with two forced fumbles and a sack before suffering a career-ending Achilles injury in the 2001 campaign.

3. Stu Clarkson- LB

After being drafted by the Chicago Bears with the 200^th overall pick of the 1942 draft, Clarkson made his presence felt in 75 games played, all of which with the Bears, as he earned 10 interceptions, including one which was run back for a touchdown, before retiring after the 1951 season. Clarkson also became the first-ever Mr. Irrelevant to win an NFL championship, helping the Bears to the title in 1946.

2. Ryan Succop- K

After being taken by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 256^th overall pick of the 2009 draft, Succop would go on to have the longest career of any final selection thus far with 216 games played, making most of his field goals with the Chiefs, but having the majority of games played coming with the Tennessee Titans. Making 320 of his 386 career field goal attempts for an 82.9% success rate, Succop is also noteworthy for converting on every single one of his 187 extra point attempts from 2009 to 2014, before the PAT spot was moved back to the 15-yard line in 2015. Though not officially retired yet, Succop last played in 2022, though he made the most of his stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, kicking for the team on their Super Bowl-winning 2020 season.

1. Jacque MacKinnon- TE

As probably the most unique selection on this list, MacKinnon was initially taken by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 280^th overall pick of the NFL draft in 1961. However, MacKinnon turned down the offer and was instead picked by the San Diego Chargers in the 33^rd round of the American Football League draft a year later. Despite originally being drafted as a running back, MacKinnon found his way into the lineup as a tight end, which proved to be a wise decision as he logged 20 touchdown catches and 2,109 yards in his nine AFL seasons, all of which coming with the Chargers. In 1966, MacKinnon led all tight ends in the league in touchdown catches with six, though perhaps his most important contribution was helping the Chargers to an AFL championship in 1963, which remains as the franchise’s lone league title.

Purdy isn’t on here because he hasn’t played enough games yet, though he definitely has shown the most potential out of all other Mr. Irrelevants.